Campfire Sauce
This easy Campfire Sauce is a creamy, smoky, tangy dipping and burger sauce made with mayo, BBQ sauce, and simple pantry spices. A Red Robin–inspired copycat that’s perfect for fries, burgers, nuggets, and backyard cookouts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise full-fat for best texture; use a brand you like
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce sweeter, smoky style (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s or similar)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup optional; skip if BBQ sauce is very sweet
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika use smoked, not regular
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8–1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste, preferably freshly ground
- 1–2 teaspoons pickle juice or apple cider vinegar optional, to taste, for extra tang
- pinch cayenne pepper or chipotle powder optional, for heat
- 1–2 teaspoons milk, buttermilk, or extra pickle juice optional, to thin if needed before serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and ketchup. Use a small whisk or spoon to stir until the color is completely uniform and no streaks remain.
- Sprinkle in the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk again until everything is well combined into a smooth, slightly thick, peachy-orange sauce.
- Taste the sauce. If you’d like more tang, whisk in 1 teaspoon of pickle juice or apple cider vinegar, then taste again. Add up to another teaspoon if you prefer a brighter, zippier flavor.
- If you enjoy a bit of kick, add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder. Mix well and taste, keeping in mind the heat will bloom slightly as the sauce chills.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the sauce to a jar with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and ideally 1–2 hours to let the flavors blend and mellow.
- Before serving, give the campfire sauce a quick stir. If it has thickened more than you like, loosen it with 1–2 teaspoons of milk, buttermilk, or a bit more pickle juice, depending on the flavor you prefer.
- Serve in small ramekins alongside fries, onion rings, burgers, grilled chicken, tater tots, roasted veggies, or veggie sticks. It also works well as a spread for sandwiches, wraps, or sliders.
Notes
Yield: About 3/4 cup campfire sauce (roughly 6–8 servings as a dipping sauce). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5–7 days; flavors improve after the first day. Do not freeze, as the mayo base may separate. For a lighter version, substitute part of the mayo with plain Greek yogurt. For a spicier sauce, increase cayenne, chipotle powder, or add your favorite hot sauce or minced chipotle in adobo. A sweet, smoky BBQ sauce and smoked paprika are key for a Red Robin–style flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal
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